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  2. Environment and the outdoors
  3. Forests and outdoor recreation
  4. Outdoor recreation
  5. Angling
  6. Angling - what you need to go fishing
  7. Angling permits

Game angling permit prices from DAERA

There are different types of game angling permits available. Usually your age, the government benefits you receive or the area you wish to fish in will affect what you buy. The choices and prices are shown on the table below.

Game permit prices

All types of Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) game permits allow the holder to fish for either game or coarse:

  • game species include brown trout, sea trout, salmon and arctic char
  • coarse species of fish include pike, bream, roach, perch, carp, tench and rudd

The DAERA permits in the table below are valid for the game season (generally March to October but varies) when fishing for game and from January to December when fishing for coarse.

Age/anglers with disabilities

Type of game angling permit Number of rods allowed Price

Under 18 years old

Juvenile game permit One rod at any one time (either game or coarse fishing)* £2.00
18 to 60 years Season game permit One rod at any one time (either game or coarse fishing)* £77.00
60 years and over  Concessionary season game permit for aged 60 and over One rod at any one time (either game or coarse fishing)* £17.50
Anglers with a disability
 
Concessionary season game rod licence for anglers with a disability.  (More below) One rod at any one time (either game or coarse fishing)* £17.50
Anglers wanting to fish a specific area only Local season permit. (More below) One rod at any one time (either game or coarse fishing)* £59.00

*If you wish to use two rods then you must buy another game permit. 

Documents you need 

To fish legally in Northern Ireland you need:

  • a rod licence plus
  • a permit or day ticket

A rod licence is for the fishing rod and the game or coarse fish you're allowed to catch. The permit/day ticket gives the angler permission to fish in the chosen water. You cannot buy a permit/ day ticket without a rod licence. 

  • Game rod licence prices from DAERA
  • Angling rod licences explained 
  • Angling permits explained 

Short-term permits 

This permit is useful if you do not fish regularly or if you're a tourist.  Follow the links for information about the number of rods you're allowed, prices and more:

  • Short-term angling permit prices from DAERA 
  • Short-term and tourist rod licence prices from DAERA 

Holders of both a season game permit and a season game rod licence can also buy short term rod licences and short term permits. These will allow you to have:

  • extra rods for game or coarse fishing
  • permission to fish in the chosen water for the extra rods

Concessionary season game permit for anglers with a disability

This permit is for anglers who are getting one of the following allowances:

  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Attendance Allowance
  • War Disablement Pension
  • Severe Disablement Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

Anglers are only allowed one concessionary permit. It is an offence to have more than one concessionary permit in any calendar year. 

There will no longer be a two week application period as e-records will be created automatically. You will be given a receipt or receive an email confirmation immediately.

When a concessionary season game permit is bought for an angler with a disability,  it must be declared that the information given is accurate.

Concessionary season game rod licence for anglers with a disability can be found on the following page, you'll need to scroll down the page to find the section:

  • Game rod licence prices from DAERA

Local season permits 

Local season permits are for anglers who just want to fish in their local area. When buying this permit you can only pick one specific fishing area per permit. The full list of game fisheries that offer local permits can be found on the following page: 

  • Local season fishing permit price from DAERA                  

Have proof to show you're fishing legally

DAERA Fishery Protection Officers carry out rod licence and permit checks to make sure they're valid.

If it is found that the information received is incorrect, DAERA will cancel the permit and rod licence and offer the holder the opportunity to buy a non concessionary rod licence/permit. No refund will be given. 

For more information visit 'Have proof to show you're fishing legally'.   

    Buy a game permit and rod licence

    Anglers can buy a game permit and rod licence online below or from a distributor (like tackle shops).

     Read the Conditions of Sale for fishing licences and permits before buying:

    • Buy rod licences and permits including River Bush day tickets 
    • Angling licence and permit distributors

    Paperless

    DAERA has a paperless system. Upon buying you will get a receipt by email.

    More useful links

    • Where can I fish in Northern Ireland? 
    • Rod licence and permit prices
    • Angling - what you need to go fishing 
    • Angling
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    Angling permits

    • Angling permits explained
    • Buy rod licences, permits and River Bush day tickets
    • Coarse angling permit prices from DAERA
    • Game angling permit prices from DAERA
    • Local season fishing permit price from DAERA
    • Short-term angling permit prices from DAERA

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    Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

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